LITTLE GREBE, 317 



frequent on small streams. In some of these situations, de- 

 pending on the season, it may be frequently observed busily 

 engaged on the surface in search of food, or diving to shelter 

 itself for security if disturbed by too close an approach. 

 Though occasionally seen to use its wings when flapping 

 along the top of the water, its powers of flight appear to 

 be limited, and in walking its progression is still more em- 

 barrassed ; it is, therefore, very seldom found on land, except 

 close to the edge of the water, into which it returns on the 

 slightest alarm, perfectly conscious that water alone affords it 

 the required protection. 



Its food consists of small fishes, aquatic insects, with some 

 vegetable substances ; and a few of its own soft feathers 

 from the under part of the body, are usually found in its 

 stomach. Mr. Selby remarks, " During winter, when the 

 ponds and brooks become frozen, Dabchicks betake them- 

 selves to the mouths of rivers and small retired bays, Avhere 

 they feed upon shrimps, fry of fish, and marine insects. At 

 this season I have several times caught them in Budle Bay, 

 on the coast of Northumberland, when they happen to be 

 left in small pools after the recess of the tide. Having first 

 dived, they afterwards invariably endeavoured to conceal 

 themselves among the fronds of the algoe, rarely attempting 

 to escape by flight." Nares, in his Glossary, says that the 

 term Didapper, applied to the Dabchick in some counties, 

 means a little diver. 



Like the other species of this genus, the Little Grebe 

 breeds among the reeds and coarse herbage of the waters 

 it inhabits, and, considering the small size of the birds, forms 

 a large flat nest of aquatic plants, in which from four to six 

 eggs are usually deposited. These are one inch seven lines 

 in length, by one inch three lines in breadth. When first 

 laid they are perfectly white, but soon become stained with 

 greenish-yellow and brown, from being in contact with de- 



